French defense officials to pope: We can’t protect you in Africa

[gilliam]

ROME — Officials at the French Ministry of Defense reportedly are urging Pope Francis to cancel his scheduled Nov. 29-30 visit to the Central African Republic because the 900 French troops in the war-torn nation can’t guarantee the pontiff’s safety.

No pope has ever canceled a trip for security reasons once dates have been announced, and a Vatican spokesman said Thursday that Francis is still committed to stopping in the Central African Republic as part of a larger African visit that includes Kenya and Uganda.

“The decision belongs to the pope,” spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said. “The Holy Father isn’t concerned for himself, but because [his visit] could put the lives of others at risk.”

cruxnow.com/church/2015/11/12/french-defense-officials-urge-the-pope-to-cancel-part-of-his-africa-trip/

 

[7_Sorrows]

Praying fervently for the safety of our Pope.

 

[chero23]

Praying as well.

 

[chero23]

I really doubt the French will be able to protect him after what happened today.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I really doubt the French will be able to protect him after what happened today.

that is my concern as well.

 

[Path_Finder]

France presses Pope to cancel Central African Republic visit

By RFI

The French army is trying to persuade Pope Francis to scrap a visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) at the end of the month, just before a referendum and elections are due to take place, and is refusing to provide troops for his security detail, according to French media.

France will not provide any soldiers for Pope Francis’s security if he goes ahead with the visit on 29-30 November, sources told Wednesday’s Le Monde newspaper.

The 900-strong Sangaris contingent has a clearly defined mission, they say, and that is to provide security for the airport and help evacuation if necessary.

Officials have told the Vatican that the visit is “high-risk”, French defence officials at the Africa security forum in Dakar told the paper.

As well as the French troops, there are 9,000 UN soldiers in the CAR, sent there two years ago when virtual civil war erupted between Muslim and majority-Christian militias.

President Catherine Samba-Panza’s government is struggling to reestablish order and France reversed a decision to gradually pull troops out a month ago when violence flared up again.

english.rfi.fr/africa/20151111-france-presses-pope-cancel-central-african-republic-visit

A story from Wednesday, I hope I’m not repeating it.

 

[Tim_D]

The Holy Father would do well to defer to the judgement of those in charge.

 

[Thomas_White]

Perhaps the Holy Father will agree that the visit would provide a possible danger not only to himself but to others as well.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Perhaps the Holy Father will agree that the visit would provide a possible danger not only to himself but to others as well.

my exact thoughts. I hope he reconsiders.

 

[gfbu]

It is such a tough decision , I trust it will be made with much prayer and thought. It seems to be a situation where " the best, safest, or least likely to create a problem" may not be the " right" decision.

Adding fuel to the fire in an unstable situation never seems like a good thing. Yet Jesus teaches us “do not be afraid”, to go forth and teach the gospel. The people of the region certainly need the support of the vicar of Christ. I don’t know if humans can know if the people need him there at that time and place, or if they need his love and blessings from afar.

I’m going to say some prayers for the Spirit to guide the Pope, and pray for the safety of all.

 

[gfbu]

The Holy Father would do well to defer to the judgement of those in charge.

I’m sure it is more a matter of a common expression, but the Pope can only do well when he defers to the judgement of the One that is in charge. or so it seems to me.

But I agree he needs to listen to the consul of others in regard to temporal matters.

 

[CenturionSlave]

catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/11/13/french-troops-cannot-protect-the-pope-in-central-african-republic/

Terror Attacks: How do we apply ‘older Church doctrine’ to present-day problems?
I have a few questions regarding official Church position regarding war in our present-day dilemma of terror attacks. It seems that the catechism addresses war within the context of nations. (CCC 2307- 2314) I see no “just-war doctrine” that might apply to terror attacks. And because terror cells permeate and exist in many countries (and vacuums of former countries), it becomes problematic to apply these (nation focused) positions. Perhaps it is a distinction without a difference?

It seems (to me) that hatred is the real sin here. And CCC 2304 addresses this. But the connection or manifestation of hatred via war seems open-ended. Remember, many of the perpetrator/terrorist killers were NOT of poverty. Their interest (debatable) seems more of an anarchist nature. We are called to love them and pray for others like them. We can do that, BUT do we (the church) also share a responsibility to protect those innocent people who are targeted. And wouldn’t a clarification from the Church help us toward a solution?

Two final questions: Given the presumed hatred that these terrorists have for Christians, what specific efforts are in place for the physical protection our Pontiff and Rome? How is the government of Italy providing measures toward “vetting” immigrants in this protection effort?